I had cosmetic bonding done a few weeks ago and I’m quite pleased with the results. Overall, my teeth look very natural. I think my dentist did a good job matching the shade and shape. Going forward, however, I’d like to know if there’s a specific type of toothpaste I should be using to help care for the dental work, so it lasts as long as possible.

Thank you,

Margene

Dear Margene,

There isn’t one type of toothpaste that’s better than others when caring for your dental work, but we’ll go over what exactly it is and provide some tips that may help you make good decisions when purchasing products.

What is Cosmetic Bonding?

The material used in cosmetic bonding is a composite resin; it’s made up of glass and plastic. The dentist can apply this in many different scenarios. It’s often used for fillings when someone has a cavity and it can be used to help reshape broken teeth or be applied like a porcelain veneer, as a layer across an entire tooth to enhance its shape and color. It comes in numerous shades and thicknesses, so dentists can match a tooth perfectly, even if one part of the tooth is darker or lighter than the rest. The material goes on fluidly and is then cured, so it becomes solid.

How to Care for Cosmetic Bonding

It’s important to know that, although composite resin is very strong, it’s not as strong and durable as the natural enamel of a tooth. Nothing is. For this reason, you should exercise extra care in order to keep it looking good for as long as possible.

Don’t use your teeth as tools. Although you should never use your teeth to open things or bite your nails, it’s twice as important when you’ve had dental work done. You could break or crack your teeth and the resin.

Wear a night guard if your grind at night. Bruxism can break your teeth or wear them down as well. It’s a good idea for anyone with a night grinding habit to see their dentist to have a night guard made, and it will help protect your investment if you’ve had aesthetic dental work done.

Be gentle with cleaning. A soft-bristled brush with a non-whitening paste is best. Toothpaste that’s designed to whiten is often abrasive and it can leave tiny scratches in the surface of your restorations. Those scratches will pick up stain easily. Don’t forget to floss- it’s important for your gum health.

See a cosmetic specialist for professional cleanings. The technique and materials used to clean restorations is different than natural teeth. Hygienists who aren’t trained to care for aesthetic work can occasionally use something too abrasive and damage or scuff the restorations. You should return to your dentist at least every six months, or more if directed, for a cleaning and exam.